CSN's top 25 players in the NBA

By A. Sherrod Blakely

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CSN's top 25 players in the NBA

BOSTON – No matter how much you rely on analytics and logarithms in determining who are the best players, ultimately it becomes about judgement.

Should win shares have a greater value than a player’s winning percentage in the playoffs? Is defensive rating a better barometer about a defender’s ability than say, defensive field goal percentage differential? And how much do you weigh how they fare versus playoff teams and non-playoff teams? A legitimate case can be made for all those numbers and many, many more, being used to rank the top 25 players.

Realizing such an endeavor should not be a one-person job, I enlisted the help of my fellow CSN Insiders, compiled our rankings and voila! We made a beautiful, bouncing list of more than two dozen players.

The scoring for this is pretty simple: Each Insider picked 25 players, ranking them from No. 1 through 25. Their number one pick received 25 points, No. 2 got 24, No. 3 got 23 and … you get the picture.

Without any further delay, here is the first annual CSN Top 25 NBA Players list in addition to our "others receiving votes" group.

25. Al Horford, Boston (19 votes)

“You can find others with better stats not on this list, but Horford’s track record of success in Atlanta (playoff trips every year he was there, five trips out of the first round in eight postseasons he played in) makes him worthy of being a top-25 player in the NBA.” – A. Sherrod Blakely

24. DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers (22)

“He can’t shoot free throws, but he can rebound and play defense with the best of them. Jordan didn’t deserve his All-NBA first team selection, but he’s still a high quality big...as long as Chris Paul is tossing up lobs.” – James Ham

22. Marc Gasol, Memphis (24)

t-20. Kyle Lowry, Toronto (32)

“Lowry came into the 2015-16 in the best shape of his career. The result was a career year and a two seed in the Eastern Conference. At 30, Lowry may have peaked, but if he can hold this level for another year or two, the Raptors will continue to post 50-plus wins.” – James Ham

t-20. Carmelo Anthony, New York (32)

“One of the more complete scorers but hard to evaluate as he hits the back end of his career; Probably the last season as a primary player on a good team, if the Knicks are to be one.” – Vincent Goodwill

19. John Wall, Washington (42)

“After being All-Defense two years ago, Wall fell off because of bad knees that required surgery on May 5 and yet he still averaged 20 points and 10 assists last season. At 6-4, a big, physical point guard with top-notch speed. Improved mid-range shooter off the bounce but still not a threat in catch-and-shoot situations or from the three-point arc.” – J. Michael

18. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers (56)

“Coming off an injury-plagued season that limited him to 35 games, Griffin still has a ways to go in diversifying his game. Fixing his footwork would help as would moving the ball quicker to create for teammates, but now he's trying to extend his range to the three-point arc. That can be a very good thing or a very bad thing.” – J. Michael

17. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota (63)

“The potential is frightening. Towns burst into the league last season and performed well-beyond his rookie status. He enters his second season with a dominating skill set and a year of wisdom from Kevin Garnett.” – Jessica Camerato

16. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio (65)

“Owns deadly combination of inside moves and silky mid-range shot, which includes an unblock able turnaround jumper. Also an above-average defender who can block a shot then beat his man down the court.” – Jason Quick

15. Jimmy Butler, Chicago (75)

One of the best two-way players in basketball, perhaps the most unlikely player this high on this list. Is there another leap in performance for a guy who’s made three already in his career? – Vincent Goodwill

14. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland (82)

His playoff run and more importantly, Finals performance, showed he’s the perfect complement to LeBron James. Not a pure point, but perhaps the best scorer ever at the point guard position. – Vincent Goodwill

13. Klay Thompson, Golden State (89)

12. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento (96)

Cousins will take note of his ranking and treat each of us accordingly. He too has a list. And we are all now on it. He’s the best big in the game and he’s primed for the biggest season of his career. – James Ham

11. James Harden, Houston (101)

He could get just about any shot he wanted to in the past, and now that he’s going to be the starting point guard, there’s no reason why this guy shouldn’t lead the league in scoring, handily. – A. Sherrod Blakely

10. Damian Lillard, Portland (102)

A superb leader who makes everyone in his locker room better, Lillard is also a fearless shooter who craves the big shot. Needs to improve his defense and his shooting percentages, but is emerging as one of the game’s best playmakers. – Jason Quick

9. Anthony Davis, New Orleans (103)

Davis, a double-double machine, is returning from injury. Will he play more than 70 games for the first time in his career? It remains to be seen how much Davis will help the Pelicans improve from their 30-win season. – Jessica Camerato

8. Draymond Green, Golden State (115)

At 6-foot-7, can defend an All-NBA center such as DeAndre Jordan or switch onto an elite point guard such as Chris Paul and win those battles. Green isn't a system player. He is the system for Golden State, which allows the other All-Stars on the team to prosper while he does a lot of the dirty work. – J. Michael

7. Paul George, Indiana (129)

6. Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers (134)

An elite defender and floor general, the nine-time All-Star is also probably one of the NBA’s best competitors, which rubs off on his team. At age 31, the question is how much longer can he continue to check the young point guards? – Jason Quick

5. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio (149)

Leonard's impact on the Spurs will be magnified this season following the retirement of Tim Duncan. Look for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year to try to get his team back atop the West. – Jessica Camerato

t-3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City (155)

Tied for 3rd with his new arch nemesis? Westbrook will statistically flourish in his new role as King of the Dust Bowl. It may not lead him to a Western Conference showdown against Durant and his Warriors, but it’s hard to count him out. – James Ham

2. Stephen Curry, Golden State (162)

1. LeBron James, Cleveland (175)

DJ Khaled’s "All I Do is Win" really should be the soundtrack to LeBron James’ career which, now includes title bling in two cities – Miami (two titles) and Cleveland – that could not be any more different. Hands down, he’s the best in the game right now. – A. Sherrod Blakely